INTERNATIONAL air passenger demand grew 3 percent in April compared to a year earlier and was 1.4 percent up from March, the International Air Transport Association said yesterday.

The growth trend has accelerated in the past six months, consistent with a better business environment, compared to the mid-months of 2012, IATA said. Airlines in all regions saw a better April this year than in 2012, with Middle Eastern carriers posting the strongest expansion.

Demand growth was strongest in emerging markets, while European and North American airlines saw a more modest increase.